Minn. politicians getting rid of Petters donations

By Staff, Associated Press

October 9, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Several of Minnesota's most prominent politicians from both parties are returning donations from businessman Tom Petters or donating the money to charity.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Sens. Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar and Congressman Jim Oberstar have all washed their hands of thousands of dollars in political donations from Petters.

The Pawlenty for Governor Committee says the campaign is returning $4,000 in donations from Petters.

Coleman, a Republican, is donating $14,600 to the Boys and Girls Club. That includes $4,600 that Petters donated to Coleman's current re-election campaign, and $10,000 that he donated to Coleman's political action committee.

Klobuchar, a Democrat, has directed the donation of a total of $19,500 to various charities.

And Oberstar, a Democrat, plans to donate the $3,300 he's received from Petters to charity.

Petters is the founder of Petters Group Worldwide. He faces federal charges including fraud and money laundering. Authorities say he led a scheme to defraud more than $3 billion from investors over 14 years. His attorney has said Petters denies any wrongdoing.